What are freckles?
Freckles are small clustered spots on the skin that appears on your skin by genetics and after prolonged sun exposure, which is causes overproduction of melanin in both your skin and hair. Freckles most always appear in groups and rarely by themselves and may fade with time. They usually take the same appearance but can differ in colour depending on the person’s genetics and complexion.

Main identifiers of a freckle include:-
A small, flat brownish spot
Becomes more apparent after sun exposure
Commonly found on places like your nose, shoulders, arms & upper back
Looks darker than
There are two categories of freckles and they are:-
Ephelides - These types of freckles are spots caused by either genetics or exposure to the sun. It is commonly found in people with fair skin tone and blonde or red hair and less likely in people with darker skin tone, hair and eyes. These freckles commonly appear on your face, upper body and hands which are prone to be unprotected from sun exposure and their appearance will change after seasonal changes and/or more sun protection.
Lentigines - Also known as sunspots are primarily caused by prolonged sun exposure and sunburn. These types of spots are darker in colour and do not fade away as easily as ephelides and are also unlikely to fade or lighten with less sun exposure. It is commonly found in areas that are prone to sun exposure such as the face, chest and arms.

What are moles?
Moles are consists of active melanocyte cells that have grown in concentrated clusters as opposed to spreading evenly throughout the skin and due to their complex composition, moles are generally wider and slightly raised when compared to moles. Appearance-wise moles can be bumpy or rough or abnormally shaped and since moles are active cells, they have the potential to continue to grow cancerous.

ABCDE of Melanoma helps you to identify and determine the severity of your mole whether it should be concerning or not.

Here is what you need to look out for-

A – Asymmetry
One half of a mole or spot does not match with the other half.

B – Border irregularities
Edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.

C – Colour
Colour variations from one area to another.

D – Diameter
The diameter of the mole or spot is larger than 6 mm, which is about the diameter of a pencil.

E – Evolving
A mole or spot looks different from the rest in size, shape or colour over time.

What are the similarities between a freckle and a mole?
Both are genetic.
Both are darker in colour than the surrounding skin and never lighter.
People with all skin tones can get freckles and moles, but they are easier to spot on people with fair-skinned

What are the differences between a freckle and a mole?

Moles can turn cancerous but freckles cannot.
Usually, you would see more freckles than moles.
Freckles tend to be flat, while moles are usually raised.
Moles originate in the deeper layer of the skin when compared to freckles.
Freckles can appear throughout our life and would fade away unlike moles which tend to stick around.
Moles are not directly associated with sun exposure, whereas freckles are caused by excessive sun exposure.
Freckles are commonly found in fair-skinned individuals, unlike moles which can be found in anyone.

In summary freckles and moles are two different types of skin growth. While freckles occur due to the result of genetics or prolonged exposure to the sun, whereas moles appear after skin cells develop into a concentrated cluster instead of spreading out into the skin. However, there is one major difference between them, freckles have zero chances of transforming malignant while moles have a possibility of turning into cancerous growth with time.
Occasionally irregular spots, moles or blemishes might appear on your skin but does not necessarily indicate skin cancer.

If you are truly worried or concerned if you have spots or moles that are

Changing in colour, shape or size rapidly
Oozes, bleeds or becomes crusty
Itching, or is tender or painful
Having an irregular shape
Becomes red or swollen at its edges or beyond

then it is recommended to get your skin checked professionally at your nearest spot check clinic, these changes that you have noticed might be benign, but it is not worth the risk and if not detected earlier would be fatal to your life. Spot check test is ideal for anyone who has specifically identified moles and spots on their bodies which is causing them to be concerned. Book your appointment at your nearest spot check clinic to diagnose any irregularities and determine if it is potentially dangerous or not and if you are tested positive for results, the doctor would talk to you further about treatment options available.

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